getting around RAM minimum requirement for broadband?

[nikko]

I just did a reinstall of 98SE for a friend. I'm trying to set up her
broadband service, but the DSL Set-Up says the minimum RAM requirement is 64
MB. She only has 32 MB, and it's an old laptop, so upgrading isn't a viable
option. She has been able to use DSL on this machine with 98 before though.
She said she took it to some computer shop and for $200 the guy did
something (she doesn't know what) to get around this issue. She doesn't
wanna pay $200 again and I don't blame her. Any ideas on how I can get
around the RAM minimum requirement would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AtTheGates]

It might depend on the dsl but I never use the setup programs. I just plug it in and type ipconfig /renew. It has always worked for me so far.

 

[geecee]

I'm guessing that you could just get a $10-20 router to do the PPPoE, instead of installing the software? That's assuming that your DSL works the same as Verizon's and that you have already set up your login account info and don't need the software to do so.

 

[oldman420]

is it netscape or comcasts stuff that they plug in to your machine? if your isp doesnt support dymanic addressing you need to go to the tcip properties of the nic and assign primary secondary dns as well as default gateway
this should work on any type of connection you can get ip and dns server info from your isp.
good luck

 

[darktubbly]

If your DSL provider uses PPPoE (for example, Verizon), you can install RASPPPOE and it'll work just fine. Don't forget to read the disclaimer about 98SE.

 

[imported_raybay]

Go to www.pcsurplusonline.com and talk her into buying a decent unit. They have usable PC's better than what she has for $75 to $200... Dells and IBM's. If you don't get her out of this mode, you will be fixing her computer every week... she will not be happy, and neither will you.

 

[Slikkster]

Just find the make and model of her laptop. There's plenty of places online that sell the old laptom sodimm memory cheap....sometimes less than 20 bucks. Here's a quick froogle search that will show you what I mean. You just need to get the right type of memory...

Froogle search for sodimm memory

This way, not only will her laptop legitimately handle the broadband, but will run much faster/smoother as well, without all that pagefile swapping.

 

[LTC8K6]

They probably put more ram in, installed the DSL, and then took the ram out.

 

[nanaki333]

yeah, and charge $200 to do it. you could have just bought some memory for that old lappy for a fraction of the cost and get some geek friend to put it in free.

 

[nikko]

Originally posted by: nanaki333
yeah, and charge $200 to do it. you could have just bought some memory for that old lappy for a fraction of the cost and get some geek friend to put it in free.

I am her geek friend. She just didn't know it. And she didn't tell me about it till recently, when she took it back to the guy after it started crashing. At which point he told her it would cost another $200 to do a reinstall of Windows and back up her e-mails, my documents etc. At least I was able to save her that dough.

 

[Pretty Cool]

He probably increased virtual memory or somthing similar. That 64MB requirement is probably only needed for their silly software anyway. If she used a router, she did not even need to install any other software. I have an old 166mhz with 48MB connected via wireless router. I had to install a usb card and wireless adapter even though they required a 64MB plus a 300mhz processor. Connection works even though I never touched that garbage CD from SBC.

 

[nanaki333]

nice! i can't stand places that charge so much for simple tasks. I used to work for a place where my boss would charge people like $85 just to install a harddrive, plus the cost of the drive marked up about $10. May they all burn to death.

 

[imported_dualblade]

it seems like alot for us cause it's simple work, but the expense is par for the course. when you don't have the knowledge, you have to pay for the work. don't forget about the bill from the mechanic or the contractor - their jobs are easy to them like ours are to us but that doesn't stop them from making good money from it